First one that comes to mind is the classic minotaurs labyrinth. But of course at the center is a Mcguffin that can stop a plague ravaging the world. Or close a portal releasing demons. The trial therefore being to get the item, having to slay th emythic Minotaur and close the portal, most likely battling through an army of demons and the mythic summoner that opened it.

I think it varies a lot based on the game. Maybe if you outlined your general ideas for the campaign we could provide better feedback?

In a general sense, I'd look over the Labors of Hercules. I'd suggest each Labor is a Lesser Trial and completing the Labors as a whole is probably a Greater Trial, but there are certainly a couple ways that can be worked.

I've been thinking about integrating Mythic Ranks into Shattered Star and recovering each shard (itself the goal of an Adventure Path chapter) could be a Greater Trial. That would put people at about 5th tier by the end of the AP.

Completing one book of an Adventure Path sounds like something that would qualify for a good Greater Trial.

I completely disagree. That is a relatively mundane achievement that (almost) every character who starts the AP will complete. Trials are supposed to be special and rare.

MiniGM wrote:

Anyone have any?

First one that comes to mind is the classic minotaurs labyrinth. But of course at the center is a Mcguffin that can stop a plague ravaging the world. Or close a portal releasing demons. The trial therefore being to get the item, having to slay th emythic Minotaur and close the portal, most likely battling through an army of demons and the mythic summoner that opened it.

Something like that.

<> Solving one of Golarion's Great Mysteries:

* The Death/Disappearance of Aroden.
* What caused the Eye of Abendago?
* Were is Archmage Nex?

A simple way I had thought for inspiration is to look at the skills...

Scale the highest peak in Golarion.(Climb)
Seduce a tribe of nymphs without them discovering your other lovers.(Bluff)
Mount and break in a wild drake(Ride)
Steal the ORIGINAL Pathfinder Chronicle(Sleight of Hand)
Invent Wall-Mart(Profession)

It's interesting how they'll vary due to the pacing. For example "adding a piece to the Rod of Seven Parts" might be a Greater Trial in one campaign, while "Reuniting the Rod of Seven Parts" could be a Greater Trial in another.

By my metric would be the story of that plot arc (or act) stands up to the legends of old. Which is to say that it's literally mythic.

Some adventures already measure up. Others just need to be kicked up a notch.

Adventure: Saving a city from an invading army
Trial: Saving a city from divine intervention

Adventure: Defeating a demon lord's cult in their secret temple
Trial: Defeating a demon lord in his fiery lair

Adventure: Convince the dwarven people to overthrow their current ruler and install their rightful king
Trial: Convince the dwarven people to overthrow their current ruler and install you as their rightful king... despite the fact that you're an elf

Adventure: Help a maiden break off an arranged marriage to the king
Trial: Help a maiden break off an arranged marriage to the King of the Gods

Adventure: Save a city from the plague by finding a magical cure
Trial: Save a city from the plague by summoning the physical manifestation of the plague and forcing it to retract it's "gift"

Adventure: Rescue a PC's father from jail
Trial: Rescue a PC's father from Avernus

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